Buying Guide
The Best PCIe USB Expansion Cards
Five PCIe USB cards compared, from the 7-port USB 3.0 card to the 8-port 10Gbps USB card, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A PCIe USB card adds ports to a desktop that has run out, with stronger power delivery than a hub. We ordered these by port count, and noted the speed of each port and which slot it needs.
Our comparison rests on published figures for ports, USB-C ports and speed; where a maker leaves out warranty, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
GLOTRENDS U6A2C 8-Port PCIe USB 3.0 Card
Renesas UPD720201 and UPD720210 dual controllers.
Best for: Buyers who want Renesas UPD720201 and UPD720210 dual controllers.
Our take Check price for GLOTRENDS U6A2C 8-Port PCIe USB 3.0 Card (opens in a new tab)
Most USB-Cs
8-Port PCIe USB 3.2 Gen 2 Card (4 USB-A, 4 USB-C)
The most USB-C count here (4).
Best for: Buyers who put USB-C count first.
Our take Check price for 8-Port PCIe USB 3.2 Gen 2 Card (4 USB-A, 4 USB-C) (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
7-Port PCIe USB 3.0 Card (5 USB-A, 2 USB-C)
Undercutting the GLOTRENDS U6A2C on price when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $50.
Our take Check price for 7-Port PCIe USB 3.0 Card (5 USB-A, 2 USB-C) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
7-Port PCIe USB 3.2 Gen 2 Card (5 USB-A, 2 USB-C)
Overcurrent and static protection on every port.
Best for: Buyers who want overcurrent and static protection on every port.
Our take Check price for 7-Port PCIe USB 3.2 Gen 2 Card (5 USB-A, 2 USB-C) (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
7-Port PCIe USB 3.2 Gen 2 Card (4 USB-A, 3 USB-C)
10Gbps shared between each group of ports, 20Gbps in total.
Best for: Buyers who want 10Gbps shared between each group of ports, 20Gbps in total.
Our take Check price for 7-Port PCIe USB 3.2 Gen 2 Card (4 USB-A, 3 USB-C) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
GLOTRENDS U6A2C 8-Port PCIe USB 3.0 Card on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The GLOTRENDS U6A2C stands out for Renesas UPD720201 and UPD720210 dual controllers, and it adds three isolated 5V/3A power groups.
Best for
- Buyers who want Renesas UPD720201 and UPD720210 dual controllers.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 5Gbps ports, so fast external SSDs run below their rating.
Why we like it
It also offers an 8 ports port count and offers a 2 USB-C count. It matches the 7-port USB 3.0 card and the 7-port 10Gbps USB card on USB-C count (2). A PCIe x1 slot is unique to it among these picks, while the 7-port USB 3.2 card uses a PCIe slot.
It also offers a standard-profile bracket for full-size towers. Check for a free PCIe slot of at least the card's lane count; a card needing x4 does not fit an x1 slot unless the slot is open-ended, and an x4 card in a slower slot loses bandwidth. The listing calls for a PCIe x1 slot; check your motherboard manual for which slots share lanes with M.2 drives. If you want a confirmed warranty, look to the 8-port 10Gbps USB card instead: it offers 2-year, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Ports: 8 ports
- USB-C ports: 2
- Speed: up to 5Gbps
- PCIe slot: a PCIe x1 slot
- Power: Slot power only
Pros
- Renesas UPD720201 and UPD720210 dual controllers
- Three isolated 5V/3A power groups
- Standard-profile bracket for full-size towers
- Port count of 8 ports, ahead of the 7-port USB 3.0 card
Cons
- 5Gbps ports, so fast external SSDs run below their rating
- No published warranty
- Costs more than the 7-port USB 3.0 card at the time of writing
Most USB-Cs2 of 5
8-Port PCIe USB 3.2 Gen 2 Card (4 USB-A, 4 USB-C) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 8-port 10Gbps USB card is built around four USB-C and four USB-A ports at 10Gbps, with a fit for desktop PCs, workstations and NAS machines on top.
Best for
- Buyers who put USB-C count first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the 7-port USB 3.0 card cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers an 8 ports port count and offers a 4 USB-C count. It matches the GLOTRENDS U6A2C on port count (8 ports). On USB-C count it leads this guide at 4, ahead of the 7-port USB 3.2 card (3).
It matches the 7-port USB 3.0 card and the 7-port 10Gbps USB card on warranty (2-year). No other pick in this guide offers a PCIe x4 slot; compare the 7-port 10Gbps USB card, which has a PCIe x4 to x16 slot. It also comes with a 2-year product-care promise.
Check for a free PCIe slot of at least the card's lane count; a card needing x4 does not fit an x1 slot unless the slot is open-ended, and an x4 card in a slower slot loses bandwidth. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the 7-port USB 3.2 card.
Key dimensions & specs
- Ports: 8 ports
- USB-C ports: 4
- Speed: up to 10Gbps
- PCIe slot: a PCIe x4 slot
- Power: Slot power only
- Warranty: 2-year
Pros
- 4 USB-C ports
- a 2-year warranty
- Four USB-C and four USB-A ports at 10Gbps
- Fit for desktop PCs, workstations and NAS machines
Cons
- Costs more than the 7-port USB 3.0 card at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
7-Port PCIe USB 3.0 Card (5 USB-A, 2 USB-C) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 7-port USB 3.0 card is built around backward compatibility with USB 2.0 and 1.1 devices, with a fit for PCIe x1 up to x16 sockets on top.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $50.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 5Gbps ports, so fast external SSDs run below their rating.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 7 ports port count and offers a 2 USB-C count. On USB-C count it ties with the GLOTRENDS U6A2C and the 7-port 10Gbps USB card at 2. It also comes with a 2-year product-care promise.
Check for a free PCIe slot of at least the card's lane count; a card needing x4 does not fit an x1 slot unless the slot is open-ended, and an x4 card in a slower slot loses bandwidth. The listing calls for a PCIe x1, x4, x8 or x16 slot; check your motherboard manual for which slots share lanes with M.2 drives. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the GLOTRENDS U6A2C was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Ports: 7 ports
- USB-C ports: 2
- Speed: up to 5Gbps
- PCIe slot: a PCIe x1, x4, x8 or x16 slot
- Power: Slot power only
- Warranty: 2-year
Pros
- a 2-year warranty
- Backward compatibility with USB 2.0 and 1.1 devices
- Fit for PCIe x1 up to x16 sockets
- 2-year product-care promise
Cons
- 5Gbps ports, so fast external SSDs run below their rating
- Port speed trails the 8-port 10Gbps USB card (up to 10Gbps)
Strong Alternative4 of 5
7-Port PCIe USB 3.2 Gen 2 Card (5 USB-A, 2 USB-C) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 7-port 10Gbps USB card stands out for overcurrent and static protection on every port, and it adds power from the PCIe slot with no external supply.
Best for
- Buyers who want overcurrent and static protection on every port.
Skip if
- Skip it if USB-C count matters most to you; the 8-port 10Gbps USB card offers 4.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7 ports port count and offers a 2 USB-C count. It matches the GLOTRENDS U6A2C and the 7-port USB 3.0 card on USB-C count (2). You get a PCIe x4 to x16 slot here, which sets it apart from the 7-port USB 3.2 card and its a PCIe slot.
It also offers a 2-year warranty. Check for a free PCIe slot of at least the card's lane count; a card needing x4 does not fit an x1 slot unless the slot is open-ended, and an x4 card in a slower slot loses bandwidth. The listing calls for a PCIe x4 to x16 slot; check your motherboard manual for which slots share lanes with M.2 drives.
It was priced above the GLOTRENDS U6A2C and below the 7-port USB 3.2 card at the time of writing. It gives ground on USB-C count, where the 8-port 10Gbps USB card offers 4.
Key dimensions & specs
- Ports: 7 ports
- USB-C ports: 2
- Speed: up to 10Gbps
- PCIe slot: a PCIe x4 to x16 slot
- Power: Slot power only
- Warranty: 2-year
Pros
- a 2-year warranty
- Overcurrent and static protection on every port
- Power from the PCIe slot with no external supply
- Port speed of up to 10Gbps, ahead of the GLOTRENDS U6A2C
Cons
- USB-C count trails the 8-port 10Gbps USB card (4)
- Costs more than the 7-port USB 3.0 card at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
7-Port PCIe USB 3.2 Gen 2 Card (4 USB-A, 3 USB-C) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 7-port USB 3.2 card is built around 10Gbps shared between each group of ports, 20Gbps in total, with up to 5V/12A of power with no external connector on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want 10Gbps shared between each group of ports, 20Gbps in total.
Skip if
- Skip it if port count matters most to you; the GLOTRENDS U6A2C offers 8 ports.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 7 ports port count and offers a 3 USB-C count. Its 3 USB-C count ranks second of 5 here, behind the 8-port 10Gbps USB card (4) and ahead of the 7-port 10Gbps USB card (2). On warranty it trails the group at 1-year, while the 8-port 10Gbps USB card offers 2-year.
You get a PCIe slot here, which sets it apart from the 8-port 10Gbps USB card and its a PCIe x4 slot. It also offers a CD with drivers and a 1-year care promise. Check for a free PCIe slot of at least the card's lane count; a card needing x4 does not fit an x1 slot unless the slot is open-ended, and an x4 card in a slower slot loses bandwidth. It gives ground on port count, where the GLOTRENDS U6A2C offers 8 ports.
Key dimensions & specs
- Ports: 7 ports
- USB-C ports: 3
- Speed: up to 10Gbps
- PCIe slot: a PCIe slot
- Power: Slot power only
- Warranty: 1-year
Pros
- 3 USB-C ports
- 10Gbps shared between each group of ports, 20Gbps in total
- Up to 5V/12A of power with no external connector
- CD with drivers and a 1-year care promise
Cons
- Port count trails the GLOTRENDS U6A2C (8 ports)
- Warranty trails the 8-port 10Gbps USB card (2-year)
- Costs more than the 7-port USB 3.0 card at the time of writing
How We Chose These PCIe USB Expansion Cards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up five PCIe USB cards on port count, USB-C count, port speed and PCIe slot, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out warranty.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the GLOTRENDS U6A2C to the 7-port USB 3.2 card, state port count, USB-C count and port speed and share Slot power only power.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The GLOTRENDS U6A2C gives no warranty.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the 7-port USB 3.0 card (under $50) to the 8-port 10Gbps USB card ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a PCIe USB Expansion Card
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much port count you need
Here port count runs from 7 ports on the 7-port USB 3.2 card to 8 ports on the GLOTRENDS U6A2C, a 14% spread. Start with the GLOTRENDS U6A2C if port count decides it.
USB-C count across these picks
The 8-port 10Gbps USB card tops USB-C count at 4 and the 7-port 10Gbps USB card sits lowest at 2. The 7-port USB 3.2 card comes second at 3, in the under $50 tier against $50 to $100 for the 8-port 10Gbps USB card.
Port speed
The 8-port 10Gbps USB card tops port speed at up to 10Gbps and the 7-port USB 3.0 card sits lowest at up to 5Gbps; 3 picks share the top figure. For less, the 7-port 10Gbps USB card is the runner-up at up to 10Gbps (under $50 tier).
Features beyond the spec table
The 7-port USB 3.0 card: a fit for PCIe x1 up to x16 sockets. The 7-port 10Gbps USB card: power from the PCIe slot with no external supply. The 7-port USB 3.2 card: up to 5V/12A of power with no external connector.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the 7-port USB 3.0 card, the GLOTRENDS U6A2C, the 7-port 10Gbps USB card and the 7-port USB 3.2 card; $50 to $100 buys the 8-port 10Gbps USB card at our last check.
How to Choose a PCIe USB Expansion Card
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want Renesas UPD720201 and UPD720210 dual controllers | GLOTRENDS U6A2C | Renesas UPD720201 and UPD720210 dual controllers |
| Buyers who put USB-C count first | 8-port 10Gbps USB card | The most USB-C count here (4) |
| Keeping the cost under $50 | 7-port USB 3.0 card | Undercutting the GLOTRENDS U6A2C on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want overcurrent and static protection on every port | 7-port 10Gbps USB card | Overcurrent and static protection on every port |
| Buyers who want 10Gbps shared between each group of ports, 20Gbps in total | 7-port USB 3.2 card | 10Gbps shared between each group of ports, 20Gbps in total |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The GLOTRENDS U6A2C leads on port count at 8 ports, ahead of the 8-port 10Gbps USB card at 8 ports.
| PCIe USB Card | Ports | USB-C ports | Speed | PCIe slot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLOTRENDS U6A2C | 8 ports | 2 | up to 5Gbps | a PCIe x1 slot |
| 8-port 10Gbps USB card | 8 ports | 4 | up to 10Gbps | a PCIe x4 slot |
| 7-port USB 3.0 card | 7 ports | 2 | up to 5Gbps | a PCIe x1, x4, x8 or x16 slot |
| 7-port 10Gbps USB card | 7 ports | 2 | up to 10Gbps | a PCIe x4 to x16 slot |
| 7-port USB 3.2 card | 7 ports | 3 | up to 10Gbps | a PCIe slot |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the 7-port USB 3.0 card, sat in the under $50 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the 8-port 10Gbps USB card at $50 to $100; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | PCIe USB Cards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | 7-port USB 3.0 card, GLOTRENDS U6A2C, 7-port 10Gbps USB card, 7-port USB 3.2 card |
| About $50 to $100 | 8-port 10Gbps USB card |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 8-port 10Gbps USB card ahead of the 7-port USB 3.2 card on USB-C count?
The 8-port 10Gbps USB card tops USB-C count at 4; the 7-port USB 3.2 card follows at 3, 33% apart. The spread runs down to the 7-port 10Gbps USB card at 2.
Is the 8-port 10Gbps USB card worth paying more than the 7-port USB 3.0 card?
What it brings is port count (8 ports against 7 ports), USB-C count (4 against 2) and port speed (up to 10Gbps against up to 5Gbps). The 7-port USB 3.0 card sat in the under $50 tier and the 8-port 10Gbps USB card in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if port count and USB-C count decide your purchase.
What makes the 8-port 10Gbps USB card the Most USB-Cs?
It carries the badge for the most USB-C count here (4). The 7-port USB 3.2 card is next on USB-C count at 3, so this pick's 4 is 33% further out. The 7-port USB 3.0 card, the cheapest pick, sat in the under $50 tier against $50 to $100 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who puts USB-C count first.
Beyond the specs, what sets the GLOTRENDS U6A2C and the 8-port 10Gbps USB card apart?
The GLOTRENDS U6A2C: Renesas UPD720201 and UPD720210 dual controllers. The 8-port 10Gbps USB card: four USB-C and four USB-A ports at 10Gbps. The 7-port USB 3.0 card: backward compatibility with USB 2.0 and 1.1 devices.
Should I pick the GLOTRENDS U6A2C or the 7-port USB 3.2 card?
The GLOTRENDS U6A2C suits buyers who want Renesas UPD720201 and UPD720210 dual controllers; the 7-port USB 3.2 card suits buyers who want 10Gbps shared between each group of ports, 20Gbps in total.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the GLOTRENDS U6A2C, chosen for Renesas UPD720201 and UPD720210 dual controllers. Look at the 8-port 10Gbps USB card for the most USB-C count here (4), the 7-port USB 3.0 card for undercutting the GLOTRENDS U6A2C on price when we checked and the 7-port 10Gbps USB card for overcurrent and static protection on every port if those matter more to you.
Count your free PCIe lanes and check which slots share bandwidth with M.2 drives before choosing a card with 10Gbps or 20Gbps ports.